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The new operators have been charging motorists from 50p for a stay of up to one hour to £2.50 for a stay of up to 24 hours on a seven days a week basis.

The rates are on average 50p less than those charged by the council, which has monopolised the car park trade in the town centre since 1996.

CPM managing director Bill Ideson, who has rented the site from the owners, said: "Feedback from customers has been really positive due to its locality and affordability.

"We'll assess the viability of our temporary car park in May when the new council tariff comes into operation. There has been no feedback from the local authority."

In 2011 North Lincolnshire Council rejected plans by the Scunthorpe-based Hunt Group to convert the site of the former Scunthorpe Telegraph offices in Doncaster Road into a privately-operated car park for 100 vehicles at a time.

A council spokeswoman said CPM did not need planning permission as the site had previously been run as a car park by the former Liberal Club.

In 2008 the whole Gilliatt Street site was sold to developers for a reported £300,000 to make way for a proposed Indian restaurant.